The Plot Thickens and a Familiar Face

My head was spinning. I immediately opened the browser, went to the streamer’s page, and checked the nickname.

[PatchNote]

“…For real?”

It’s actually him? I didn’t notice the nickname before?

[Whisper/Beta > DontOrderMe: He’s famous on the forums for his tips ㅇㅇ]

[Whisper/Beta > DontOrderMe: Posts a lot of strategy videos too.]

Beta sent me a link to a Battle Mage guide PatchNote had posted. Drawn in like I was possessed, I clicked it and quietly marveled at the detailed explanations.

[Whisper/DontOrderMe > Beta: His nickname really fits.]

[Whisper/Beta > DontOrderMe: ㅇㅇㅇ He’s known for living up to it.]

“No wonder my levels shot up with him carrying.”

Thinking of the skyrocketing EXP bar, I licked my dry lips. Maybe I’ll ask to play again when he logs in.

No, no—clinging to a busy guy isn’t polite. Deciding to solo today, I jumped into a dungeon.

Slower than with PatchNote, but as a veteran myself, my efficiency wasn’t bad.

Each dungeon clear bumped my level up by one. I ran the same dungeon over and over, planning to max out its level range before moving on.

While chaining moves to take down a boss, Beta whispered me.

[Whisper/Beta > DontOrderMe: Still no interest in joining our guild?]

[Whisper/DontOrderMe > Beta: I’ll think about it after hitting max level.]

[Whisper/Beta > DontOrderMe: If you join a guild, it better be ours.]

[Whisper/Beta > DontOrderMe: Got it?!?!]

Alright, alright, I get it.

With my eyes on the goal of hitting max level, I didn’t want to think about anything else.

Soloing was a bit dull, but grinding dungeons all day got me to level 85. Just 15 more levels to max.

Running the same dungeon so much was draining. With PatchNote, chatting made it fun.

Leaning back in my chair, I stretched my stiff arms. Sitting at the computer too long was killing my back.

“What’s a good dungeon for this level?”

Memory fuzzy, I checked PatchNote’s guide. For 85 to 100… Red Mercenary Anthill.

Lots of mobs there. Destination set, I headed to the Anthill.

Like Yukria’s Cave where I met PatchNote, Red Mercenary Anthill was a field dungeon, so other players could show up.

But no need to worry about PK anymore—update notes said enabling the PK disable option would prevent griefing while leveling.

I’ll turn it off after hitting max.

The mobs swarming the entrance looked like pure EXP.

Rubbing my hands, I prepared a skill, but an attack effect sounded nearby. Turning the camera, I froze at a familiar nickname.

[CameToDie]

Was he leveling here too? Debating whether to ignore him, he approached my character.

[All/CameToDie: Soloing?]

[All/DontOrderMe: Yup.]

[All/CameToDie: Wanna party? I’m solo too.]

[All/DontOrderMe: Sure, why not.]

Partying with CameToDie, of all people? Feeling weird, I glanced at him between mob kills.

He was laser-focused on hunting, like leveling was his only goal. Maybe he just got bored soloing and wanted company.

While grinding, I yawned and opened the chat to tell Beta about this accidental party.

[Party/DontOrderMe: Sis, I ran into CameToDie.]

[Party/CameToDie: ?]

[Party/CameToDie: Me?]

“Oh, crap.”

I messed up.

Meant to whisper Beta but typed in party chat.

Panicking over spilled milk, I racked my brain.

What do I say? That he’s famous on the forums, so I was telling her I met a celebrity? What if he asks which posts? I haven’t seen any!

Dropping my hands from the keyboard, I clutched my head and peeked at the chat.

He stood still in front of my character, waiting for a reply.

Damn it, what excuse do I make? Just say I’m SoonToDie and thought partying with him was wild? Frustrated, I took a deep breath to calm down and typed.

[Party/DontOrderMe: Typed in the wrong chat.]

[Party/DontOrderMe: Sorry.]

[Party/CameToDie: That’s fine, but…]

[Party/CameToDie: Do you know me?]

[Party/DontOrderMe: Nope.]

[Party/CameToDie: You were about to whisper someone that you met me, right?]

Well, yeah. Can’t argue with that. As I nervously tapped my leg, searching for an excuse, he typed again.

[Party/CameToDie: Honestly, I asked to party because you have the same class as my darling♥.]

[Party/DontOrderMe: Who’s your darling, you jerk?]

[Party/CameToDie: So it is you, SoonToDie.]

Wait, did I just get baited? For real?

[Party/CameToDie: I had a hunch from your class, but didn’t think it’d be true.]

[CameToDie expresses affection toward DontOrderMe.]

“Hah, hahaha…”

I didn’t expect to get played like this. Feeling outsmarted, I let out a hollow laugh.

This guy’s sharper than I thought. Holding my aching head, I typed with one hand.

[Party/DontOrderMe: What do you want…?]

[Party/CameToDie: Your love…♥]

“He’s nuts.”

[Party/DontOrderMe: That’s it?]

[Party/CameToDie: How can you call your love ‘just’ that;]

[Party/CameToDie: Apologize to your love right now;]

[Party/DontOrderMe: Lololololololololol]

It was so absurd, I could only laugh. Spamming consonants in the chat, I called for a temporary truce.

We’re almost at the dungeon boss—wasting energy on this is pointless, right?

(4)

[Party/DontOrderMe: Let’s level first.]

[Party/DontOrderMe: You’re here to level too, right?]

[Party/CameToDie: You’ll keep partying with me?]

[Party/DontOrderMe: Yup.]

[Party/CameToDie: That’s enough for me.]

What a weirdo.

With that, CameToDie went all out, slaughtering mobs with insane control.

I’d felt it before, but this guy’s good. I still don’t get why he begs to be killed, but his skills are undeniable. Spotting a tiny gap in a field of AoE and weaving in to deal damage was impressive.

[Whisper/DontOrderMe > Beta: Ran into CameToDie…]

[Whisper/DontOrderMe > Beta: He figured out I’m SoonToDie…]

[Whisper/Beta > DontOrderMe: Lolol how’d that happen lololol]

While CameToDie farmed EXP, I whispered Beta, double-checking to avoid another party chat blunder.

[Whisper/DontOrderMe > Beta: Meant to whisper you but typed in party chat;]

[Whisper/Beta > DontOrderMe: ??? You’re partying with him???]

[Whisper/DontOrderMe > Beta: Yup…]

[Whisper/Beta > DontOrderMe: Omg I’m coming lolol add me to the party lolol]

[Whisper/Beta > DontOrderMe: Healer carry incoming ㅇㅇ lolol]

Telling her the location, Beta teleported in and joined the party instantly.

[Party/Beta: Hiii~~]

[Party/Beta: Heard a lot about you from SoonToDie lolol]

[Party/CameToDie: Hello.]

[Party/CameToDie: Did SoonToDie talk about me?]

[Party/DontOrderMe: Let’s just finish the dungeon, you said you’d carry.]

[Party/Beta: So shy lolol mob pulling time.]

With a max-level player added, the hunting speed skyrocketed. Even with good gear, the level gap was no match for Beta’s stable carry, reminding me of PatchNote.

Her carry was solid, but in terms of speed and damage, PatchNote was unmatched.

Feeling oddly sentimental, I opened and closed the friend list, seeing PatchNote still offline, and shut it for good.

It was just one day of gaming together, but we clicked so well—guess that left a strong impression.